MU football: Allen switched to CB

HUNTINGTON — With the outside receiver spots suddenly considered deep and the cornerback position not as much, Marshall coaches shifted Rodney Allen from cornerback to wide receiver.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound redshirt freshman from Dallas played cornerback in high school, and coach Doc Holliday feels Allen could work out on defense.

“He’s a big, tall, long guy,” said MU coach Doc Holliday. “We’ve got some wideouts we think can play ... so I think he can help us with some depth [at corner].”

With Keith Baxter on the sidelines with a hamstring injury last weekend at Miami (Ohio), Corey Tindal moved to the corner opposite Darryl Roberts and true freshman Antavis Rowe played nickel back in such situations. When Roberts left for a few plays, sophomore Michael Johnson came in.

D’Andre “Chocolate” Wilson also is available, and received a full dose of reps in preseason camp. Donaldven Manning was sidelined.

At outside receiver, Davonte Allen and Deandre Reaves combined for five receptions and 79 yards at “X.” On the other side at “Y,” Angelo Jean-Louis and Craig Wilkins combined for three receptions and 57 yards.

Holliday said his staff will work Baxter into the lineup by the Herd’s third game, Sept. 13 against Ohio, possibly skipping this week’s game against Rhode Island. Even then, Allen’s development bears watching.

“Corner’s a position, they can play there pretty early,” Holliday said. “Here’s a guy, go cover him. There are techniques and fundamentals, but there’s not a lot of thinking out there, and that’s good.”

Reach Doug Smock at 304-348-5130 or dougsmock@wvgazette.com, or follow him on Twitter @dougsmock.